When Miguel Andujar dedicated 15 errors in 2018, outsiders seemed at the total and questioned if the Yankees could dwell with that numerous boots, even if he hit very well enough to complete 2nd in the AL Rookie of the Year race.
Adhering to the year, the Yankees had been far more worried about enhancing Andujar’s footwork — so he would be in superior placement to area balls — than they ended up his error total. A winter of do the job vanished due to the fact Andujar was restricted to a dozen online games final 12 months because of to correct shoulder surgical procedures.
Far more footwork drills followed all through this earlier offseason and in the initially spring instruction, in advance of the coronavirus shut down baseball. Even so, that didn’t stop Andujar from doing the job out at George M. Steinbrenner Area through quarantine.
In accordance to Carlos Mendoza, the Yankees’ bench coach and infield mentor, the time Miguel Andujar invested in Tampa although the sport was stopped aided his fielding.
“The footwork is a whole lot superior and the throwing, coming from an injuries, is so a great deal superior as properly,’’ Mendoza said on a Zoom simply call just before Thursday night’s intrasquad video game at Yankee Stadium.
Andujar started in right industry to further more his enhancement as a player who can present flexibility. He missing Giancarlo Stanton’s initially-inning fly ball in the sun/lights when he came in for it.
“It is about finding reside reps and continuing with the operate, his confidence and keeping aggressive at 3rd base,” Mendoza mentioned. “In 2018, his fielding posture was definitely, actually lower and he was variety of on his heels. So we type of place him in a superior position incorporating a modest hop when the ball is coming into the hitting zone. That way will make it possible for him to have a superior first phase and far better reads, ideally, off the bat.’’
Had Gio Urshela not taken above at third for Andujar very last yr and turned in an All-Star-deserving yr, Andujar would have rejoined the Yankees as the everyday 3rd baseman. Having said that, the ideal way to get Andujar’s bat in the lineup now is by moving him around. Just before Thursday’s intrasquad sport he took floor balls and throws at initial base.
With rain envisioned Friday the Yankees canceled their intrasquad video game. James Paxton will toss and a couple of gamers who demand treatment will be at Yankee Stadium but there will not be a total-blown exercise routine.
Gleyber Torres’ five errors in 10 spring education games ahead of the coronavirus shut down the video game was alarming to some, given that the Yankees permitted the slick-fielding Didi Gregorius to go away by way of free of charge company and make Torres the regular shortstop.
The mistakes did not alarm GM Brian Cashman, and Mendoza did not make a significant offer of it although it was likely on.
“We didn’t want to set much too significantly into it. Certainly he manufactured a number of faults, we noticed it. We were delighted with the pregame function he was putting into it,’’ mentioned the Yankees’ bench mentor, who labored with Torres going toward next foundation Thursday afternoon. “The major detail was being aggressive and staying favourable with him, we did not want to make too significantly out of it. What we have viewed so significantly, and when we received shut down, he is placing in the function. We are pleased and self-assured that he is going to be great.’’
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